It’s official. Eastern Colorado duck hunters will operate under a liberal framework again, which translates to a 97-day season and a daily bag of six ducks.
Just what dates those days will be used remains a matter of discussion.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced regulations similar to last season, allowing five mallards in a bag that may include no more than two hen mallards, two redheads, three scaup, two wood ducks, one mottled duck, one pintail and one canvasback.
Reflecting a continuing lag in those species, pintail and canvasback may be hunted only during the first 39 days of the season.
Colorado wildlife managers still are debating a proposed change in basic season structure from the traditional three seasons to two, a move that would benefit hunters along the South Platte River northeast of Denver to the detriment of those who hunt in high mountain valleys. A decision will be made at a meeting of the Wildlife Commission Thursday and Friday in Alamosa.
FWS also established a 95-day season for Canada geese, with a bag of two. All states may select a 107-day season for light geese, with a daily bag of 20 and no possession limit. The federal agency also is expected to approve an extended season for light geese during March.
That portion of Colorado west of the Continental Divide will have a 107-day season for both ducks and geese, with a seven-bird daily limit for ducks, four for geese.
